Multiple stream bubble blower

ABSTRACT

A child&#39;&#39;s bubble blowing toy having its own reservoir for bubble-forming fluid and at least one member having an aperture to acquire a film of the fluid, the member being operable between a lower position whereat the aperture in the member acquires a charge of fluid and a higher position whereat the child&#39;&#39;s breath blows the film out as a bubble. The member is raised by the pressure of air delivered to the toy and movement thereof occurs substantially concurrently with forming of the bubble. Cessation of blowing allows the member to descend.

United States Patent 11 1 Kalish MULTIPLE STREAM BUBBLE BLOWER [75]Inventor: Jerome Barton Kalish, Highland Park, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Chemtoy Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Oct. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,242

[52] US. Cl. 46/7 [51] Int. Cl A63h 33/28 [58] Field of Search 46/6, 7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,060,626 10/1962 Panico,Jr. 46/7 2,858,639 11/1958 Lawrence 46/7 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS620,504 5/1961 Canada 46 7 5 35b 35a 755 22 j 23 Dec. 4, 1973 PrimaryExaminerLouis G. Mancene Assistant ExaminerJ. Q. Lever Att0rneyLeonardS. Knox [57 ABSTRACT A childs bubble blowing toy having its ownreservoir for bubble-forming fluid and at least one member having anaperture to acquire a film of the fluid, the member being operablebetween a lower position whereat the aperture in the member acquires acharge of fluid and a higher position whereat the childs breath blowsthe film out as a bubble. The member is raised by the pressure of airdelivered to the toy and movement thereof occurs substantiallyconcurrently with forming of the bubble. Cessation of blowing allows themember to descend.

3 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures .PATENTEUUEB 4197s 3,775,898

SHEET 10? 2 PATENTEU DEC 4 I975 3,775,896

EGZZZ J5 MULTIPLE STREAM BUBBLE BLOWER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONNumerous bubble-blowing pipes are known wherein an apertured member isimmersed in a reservoir of bubble-forming fluid, withdrawn, the bubbleblown and the member returned to an idle position which may or may notbe re-immersion.

However, children derive far greater pleasure from animated toys ascompared with those which are relatively static. Even a simple toy, suchas a monkey on a stick, will be found much more interest-provoking thansay, a balloon.

The present invention combines the comparatively exciting operation ofblowing bubbles with a jumping character, e.g. a cartoon figure.

Furthermore, the childs pleasure moments are prolonged and the workfactor reduced if the pipe is provided with a reservoir for the bubblefluid and convenient means for refilling the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a hollow stemhaving a mouthpiece at one end to be held in the childs mouth by oneend, the bore of the stem being in communication with the interior of areciprocable cylinder closed at one end and to which an animal figure orother entertaining feature may be secured. Thus, air pressure appliedthrough the bore of the stem impinging on the closed end of the cylinderwill lift the cylinder to an upper position. The cylinder carries one ormore depending, paddle-like members each having an aperture arranged,when air pressure is relieved, to be immersed in a supply ofbubble-forming fluid contained in a reservoir whereby the aperture ofeach member picks up a film of the fluid. The cylinder is guided on ahollow post secured to the top of the reservoir, the hollow interior ofthe post receiving air blown through the stem. The post has one or moreopenings, one individual to each of the member apertures, to bleed someof the air delivered to the hollow post radially of the post and againstthe respective films of fluid, whereby bubbles are formed and blownoutwardly of the toy. Means are provided to preclude rotation of thecylinder and the parts integral therewith whereby mis-register whichwould otherwise occur, is avoided. To avoid spilling, the reservoir,except for apertures to admit the bubble-forming members, is covered,and is provided with a filling port and lid therefor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevation of abubble-blowing pipe in accordance with the invention, as seen in idlecondition;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the bubbleforming membersraised;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the pipe shown with the apertured membersin the lower position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but shown with the members in theupper position;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the pipe in the condition of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is cross section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 2 but on a largerscale than in the preceding figures;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on the line 77 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a partial bottom plan view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a detail, in side elevation to illustrate certain parts moreclearly;

FIG. 10 is a cross section through the medial, vertical fore-and-aftplane of the toy, with the apertured members lowered;

FIG. 11 is a cross section similar to FIG. 10 but with the membersraised;

FIG. 12 is a cross section taken on the line 12l2 of FIG. 10 with themembers lowered; and

FIG. 13 is a cross section similar to FIG. 12 but showing the membersraised.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT At the outset it is to be notedthat the figure of a mouse is a purely decorative feature which isattached to the part carrying the paddle-like, bubble-forming members.Thus, each time the latter are actuated, motion is imparted to thefigure whereby to add to the childs interest and pleasure. Moreover theweight added by the figure will facilitate return of the blade assemblyto the lower postion.

The toy comprises a stem 10 having a bore 11 and a mouthpiece 12. Theremote end of the stern carries an essentially annular hollow body 15,including a top wall 15a, an outer cylindrical shell 15b, an innercylindrical shell 15c and an annular bottom wall 15d, together forming areservoir 17 for bubble-blowing fluid. The bore 11 of the stem 10terminates as a hole 18 through the top wall 15a. Surrounding the hole18 is an annular flange 21 into which is tightly fitted a hollow,cylindrical post 22 serving as a guide for the movable blade assembly 31and as an air passage. In order to align the blade assembly about theaxis of the body 15, there is provided a plurality of ribs 23 upstandingfrom the top wall 15a, each of the ribs being engaged in individualslots 24 spaced correspondingly about the bottom of the post 22. Thus,the post 22 is secured to the body 15 in proper angular relation inorder that the blades to be described may be raised and lowered withrespect to apertures in the top wall 15a without interference.

The blade assembly 31 (FIG. 9) comprises a disk 32 to which the optionaltoy figure 30 is secured. A hollow cylindrical number 35 of invertedcup-shaped configuration is concentric with the cylindrical pose 22, issecured to a disk 32, and includes a lateral wall 35a and an end wall35b. The member 35 is a sliding fit on the post 22, for example, bymeans of a flange 22a. Dislodgment of the blade assembly 31 from theremainder of the toy is obviated by providing an aperture 37 through thedisk 32 defining a peripheral zone 37 serving as a limit stop.

Depending from the disk 32 is a plurality of blades 41, in the example,three in number, each having an aperture 42, preferably oval orcircular. The blades enter the reservoir through slots 40 in the topwall of the reservoir.

At this juncture, it is pointed out that the ribs 23 do not fitcompletely within the respective slots 24 but are foreshortened todefine small passages 44 through which air delivered under pressurethrough the mouthpiece 12 exits as jets in an essentially horizontaldirection. However, a much larger volume of air enters the post 22 andimpinges on the wall 35b to raise the blade assembly 31 to its uppermostpostion (FIG. 11 and 13).

Upon rising, the blades 51, having been immersed in the fluid stored inthe space 17, carry out a film of fluid spanning each of the apertures42. Concurrently with lifting of the assembly 31, a jet of air issuesfrom each of the openings 24 and against the several films which, in theupper position of the assembly 31 are essentially opposite therespective jets. Consequently one or more bubbles B are blown. Uponterminating air flow, the assembly 31 will drop to its lower position.It will be apparent that bubbles issue from all three bladesconcurrently and that, depending upon the nature of the fluid and thepressure and rate of flow of air, a stream of bubbles is possible fromeach aperture 42.

To replenish the supply of fluid in the reservoir there is a port 50which may be closed off by a swinging gate 51 of accurate form pivotedat 53 on the top wall 15a of the reservoir. A projection 55 facilitatesopening and closing of the gate.

I claim:

1. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a mouthpiece having an aperture, atubular stem extending from the mouthpiece, the aperture and bore of thestem being in fluid communication, a reservoir for bubble-blowing fluidattached to the other end of the stem, said reservoir including a topwall, an opening in said wall, the bore of the stem terminating in saidopening, an upstanding, first, hollow post secured at one end to saidwall, said first post having a plurality of slots adjacent said one endspaced about the axis of the post, a plurality of ribs upstanding fromsaid reservoir top wall, each rib being engaged in a slot individualthereto, the upper end of each rib defining with its respective slot aplurality of ports, the interior of the post being in fluidcommunication with said opening, whereby air blown into the mouthpiecewill issue as a plurality of jets through said ports, a second hollowpost having a top wall and a lateral wall slidingly received forvertical reciprocating movement on said first post, the top wall of thesec ond post, defining, with its lateral wall a space in fluidcommunication with the first post whereby air under pressure deliveredto the interior of the second post will, by impinging on the top wallthereof, raise the second post relative to the first post, saidreservoir top wall having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures, aplurality of paddle-like members, having one end secured to the secondpost for joint movement therewith, each said member having an aperturethrough the principal plane thereof, said members being so dimensionedand positioned that, upon raising and lowering of said second post, themembers exit from and re-enter the reservoir through said reservoir topwall apertures whereby, upon entering the reservoir, each memberaperture is charged with a film of fluid which, upon raising of themembers, each film moves into the path of a respective jet of airissuing from a respective port.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reservoirlateral wall comprises inner and outer concentric sleeve parts joined atthe lower end by a first, imperforate, annular part and, at the upperend, by a circular part, said second part having the said spaced-apartapertures.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 further characterized inthat the top wall of the reservoir has an opening for replenishing thereservoir.

1. A bubble-blowing toy comprising a mouthpiece having an aperture, atubular stem extending from the mouthpiece, the aperture and bore of thestem being in fluid communication, a reservoir for bubble-blowing fluidattached to the other end of the stem, said reservoir including a topwall, an opening in said wall, the bore of the stem terminating in saidopening, an upstanding, first, hollow post secured at one end to saidwall, said first post having a plurality of slots adjacent said one endspaced about the axis of the post, a plurality of ribs upstanding fromsaid reservoir top wall, each rib being engaged in a slot individualthereto, the upper end of each rib defining with its respective slot aplurality of ports, the interior of the post being in fluidcommunication with said opening, whereby air blown into the mouthpiecewill issue as a plurality of jets through said ports, a second hollowpost having a top wall and a lateral wall slidingly received forvertical reciprocating movement on said first post, the top wall of thesecond post, defining, with its lateral wall a space in fluidcommunication with the first post whereby air under pressure deliveredto the interior of the second post will, by impinging on the top wallthereof, raise the second post relative to the first post, saidreservoir top wall having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures, aplurality of paddle-like members, having one end secured to the secondpost for joint movement therewith, each said member having an aperturethrough the principal plane thereof, said members being so dimensionedand positioned that, upon raising and lowering of said second post, themembers exit from and re-enter the reservoir through said reservoir topwall apertures whereby, upon entering the reservoir, each memberaperture is charged with a film of fluid which, upon raising of themembers, each film moves into the path of a respective jet of airissuing from a respective port.
 2. The combination in accordance withclaim 1 wherein the reservoir lateral wall comprises inner and outerconcentric sleeve parts joined at the lower end by a first, imperforate,annular part and, at the upper end, by a circular part, said second parthaving the said spaced-apart apertures.
 3. The combination in accordancewith claim 1 further characterized in that the top wall of the reservoirhas an opening for replenishing the reservoir.